MiLB National Charities Partners return

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Minor League Baseball is pleased to announce that it is continuing its relationships this season with its three national charity partners: the ALS Association, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Special Olympics. The Minor League Baseball office will provide information to its member clubs and league offices about these three partnerships, which have resulted in over a million dollars being raised in each of the past three years.

"A trademark of Minor League Baseball is its care of community and sense of pride in each of our cities," said Minor League Baseball President Pat O'Conner. "Our clubs support local charities with annual giving of cash and in-kind gifts in excess of $4.5 million and we are proud to once again support the ALS Association, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Special Olympics through the Minor League Baseball Charities Foundation." The ALS Association is a not-for-profit voluntary health organization dedicated to increasing awareness of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

"The ALS Association and Minor League Baseball have a partnership that gets stronger each year," stated ALS Association Director of Community Services Nancy Venner. "We are so fortunate to work with nearly half of the teams throughout the country, raising awareness and funds for families with ALS. And we do so by making it good for business for the teams by helping sell tickets, bringing fans to the stadium and obtaining positive media coverage for our efforts. In turn this is good for our community because we are able to recruit volunteers, potentially identify those with ALS and raise much needed funds for patient services and research. Thanks to this wonderful relationship, we raised $500,000 in 2007."

Big Brothers Big Sisters strives to provide a mentor for every child who needs or wants one.

"We are privileged to work together with Minor League Baseball and we are looking forward to the upcoming season," said Big Brothers Big Sisters of America President/CEO Judy Vredenburgh. "Their support gives us the opportunity to promote the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, as well as to reach more potential volunteers, particularly men, at a time when male recruitment is a focus for our organization. It is a pleasure for us to continue this valuable partnership."

Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and athletic competition and other related programming to 2.25 million children and adults with intellectual disabilities in more than 160 countries.

"Minor League Baseball has been one of Special Olympics' biggest fans, and we are excited that our partnership will continue through the 2010 season," said Special Olympics North America Managing Director Bob Gobrecht. "The strong dedication of Minor League Baseball's teams and athletes provides us with a unique vehicle to spread our message of acceptance and inclusion of Special Olympics athletes, and the partnership helps unite people throughout communities where Minor League Baseball teams play."

The ALS Association and Big Brothers Big Sisters have been with the Minor League Baseball Charity Partners Program since its inception in 2004. Special Olympics joined the program the following year. The Charity Partners Program's mission is to provide national exposure for these charities, expand current relationships between clubs and local chapters and to foster new relationships where none exist.